Robotics Prelim

Embedded system

A computer system mainly designed to perform a specific task such as accessing, processing, store and controlling data in an electronics-based system.

Power Supply

Battery or external source

Processor

Controls electrical and mechanical functions

Memory

Stores hardware instructions

Timers

Measure time intervals or elapsed time

Communication Ports

Used to communicate with other types of embedded systems (UART, USB, Ethernet)

Input and Output

Examples of input are switch and keypad while examples of output are LEDs and LCDs.

Application

Integrated circuits customized for a particular use

Single-functioned

It executes a particular operation in a consistent manner.

Tightly constrained

It has limitations on design metrics.

Real time

It must perform fast enough and consume less power to increase battery life.

Reactive

It should constantly react to changes in the system and also calculate particular results in real time without any delay

Sensor

It measures the physical quantity and converts it to an electrical signal readable by any electronic instrument.

A-D Converter

An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal sent by the sensor into a digital signal.

Processor & ASICS

A processor receives and interprets commands and performs the processes the user has requested

Memory

It stores information or instructions either temporarily or permanently.

D-A Converter

A digital-to-analog converter converts the digital data fed by the processor to analog data.

Actuator

It is a kind of motor that controls or moves mechanisms or systems.

Reasoning

Making inferences based on data

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Understanding both written text and human speech

Planning

Acting autonomously and flexibly to construct a sequence of actions to reach a final goal

Machine Learning

Enables a system to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention

Robotics

Study of machines that independently perform work, following a set of rules programmed by a computer.

Unimate

First industrially used robot developed by Joseph Engelberger and George Devol in 1961, a 2-ton robotic arm adopted for automated die-casting (a metal casting process utilizing metal molds or dies).

Shakey

Developed by Charles Rosen in 1966, is the first mobile robot with the ability to perceive and reason about its surroundings.

Stanford Arm

First successfully computer-controlled electrically powered robot arm created by Victor Scheinman in 1969, developed industrial assembly techniques for commercial robot arms.

Industrial Robots

These are the robotic arms or manipulators that perform production tasks such as welding, material handling, painting, and tightening of several parts.

Medical Robots

These are used in healthcare and medicine to perform tasks such as equipment lifting, washing of equipment, and surgery.

Military Robots

These are used by the armed forces for tasks for searching, rescue, and surveillance operations. These are also known as artificial soldiers.

Space Robots

These are used to substitute for astronauts in navigating dangerous environments.

Entertainment Robots

These are interactive robots that can take several commands and perform several tricks for fun.

Domestic Robots

These are primarily used for household chores